Champlain and Cadillac via Precipice and Cadillac North Trails in Acadia National Park, ME

Hike Champlain and Cadillac via Precipice and Cadillac North Trails Acadia National Park, ME

Class 3 5.6 miles 2600 gain 2-4 hrs Shuttle Sep 10, 2014
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Champlain and Cadillac via Precipice and Cadillac North Trails GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

Drive to the Precipice Trail and then take the shuttle back once you've exited at the base of Cadillac Mountain North Trail.

This is a great tour of the majority of Acadia National Park's east side and its peaks, starting with close-up ocean views and ending at the highest point on Mount Desert Island. The rolling hills of the park make for fun trails, and this hike is fairly uninhabited. Extend the hike wherever, since a shuttle can come pick you up at many spots throughout the park (thanks, Bar Harbor, Maine!). Start at the Precipice Trail trailhead (see my Precipice Trail write-up for more about the start of this hike). After summiting Champlain Mountain, enjoy the rolling hills to the unfortunate summit of Cadillac Mountain, overrun by cars and tourists. Though a beautiful view, the hike down provides some welcomed solitude.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Champlain Mountain
1060 ft
920 rise
2
Cadillac Mountain
1528 ft
1528 rise

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Toward the beginning of the Precipice Trail, there's an intro section with bridges that soon become metal rungs.
Toward the beginning of the Precipice Trail, there's an intro section with bridges that soon become metal rungs.
Some obstacles along the Precipice Trail.
Some obstacles along the Precipice Trail.
The longest section of metal rungs on the Precipice Trail, almost at the summit of Champlain Mountain.
The longest section of metal rungs on the Precipice Trail, almost at the summit of Champlain Mountain.
Along the Precipice Trail toward the top of Champlain Mountain.
Along the Precipice Trail toward the top of Champlain Mountain.
Lots of fun exposure overlooking the ocean  the whole way up the sketchier part of the Precipice Trail.
Lots of fun exposure overlooking the ocean the whole way up the sketchier part of the Precipice Trail.
Steel bars to hold onto at this section, on the edge of the cliff.
Steel bars to hold onto at this section, on the edge of the cliff.
Summit of Champlain Mountain.
Summit of Champlain Mountain.
At the top of Champlain Mountain.
At the top of Champlain Mountain.
At the top of Champlain Mountain and along the way down there are cool puddles like these.
At the top of Champlain Mountain and along the way down there are cool puddles like these.
A lookout from Champlain Mountain - Cadillac Mountain in the far distance, Dorr Mountain in front of it.
A lookout from Champlain Mountain - Cadillac Mountain in the far distance, Dorr Mountain in front of it.
Heading down Champlain, looking toward the second hill of the day.
Heading down Champlain, looking toward the second hill of the day.
Interesting rocky trails.
Interesting rocky trails.
The side of the mountain, seen from the hike up toward Cadillac Mountain. Loving the rocky textures.
The side of the mountain, seen from the hike up toward Cadillac Mountain. Loving the rocky textures.
Summit of Cadillac Mountain.
Summit of Cadillac Mountain.
Hiking down from Cadillac Mountain
Hiking down from Cadillac Mountain

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!